Perceptions Of Cognitive Load Research Articles

Understanding assessment tasks: Learners’ and teachers’ perceptions of cognitive load of integrated speaking tasks for TBLT implementation

TBLTis an educational approach to L2 learning and teaching where tasks constitute the main focus of classroom instruction. In its implementation, one of the major challenges facing teachers is the lack of empirical evidence for task design and selection relating to task complexity and the cognitive load imposed by tasks perceived by learners. To address the issue, we investigated EFL learners' and teachers' perceptions of cognitive load of integrated speaking tasks, one type of advocated tasks for TBLT, and factors that affect such perceptions within Robinson's Triadic Componential Framework as proposed by some scholars in the task research field. In a mixed-methods design, we collected data using a self-rating scale, a self-rating questionnaire and semi-structured interviews in the context of integrated speaking tasks for helping shed light on task design and selection criteria. Our analysis revealed that task complexity factors contributed to participants' perceptions of cognitive load, and in the four factors under investigation, prior knowledge was perceived as a stronger determinant of cognitive load than planning time, steps involved and task type. These findings provide empirical evidence for task design and selection in TBLT implementation, especially for the use of integrated speaking tasks in TBLT aiming at EFL speaking instruction. They also provide implications for L2 assessment.

Students’ Perception of Cognitive Load in an Accelerated DPT Program with a Blended Curriculum

Administrators and educators in higher education are interested in how academic tutoring services and gender impact perceptions of cognitive load and, therefore, students’ academic success. However, a lack of evidence existed in the literature regarding physical therapy students’ perception of cognitive load in an accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy program with blended learning. Participants in this quantitative, non-experimental study completed the adapted Cognitive Load Scale to indicate their perception of cognitive load, participation in academic tutoring services, gender, and age. The DPT students perceived high cognitive overload, but a t value of 0.37 and a p value of 0.71 indicated that their perception was not significantly related to gender. Further, a t value of -3.09 and a p value of 0.005 indicated that academic tutoring services played a vital role in minimizing the perception of cognitive overload. However, the p value of 0.11 of the parametric multiple linear regression analysis and the p value of 0.59 of the interaction term indicated no moderating relationship between academic tutoring services and gender. This evidence may assist physical therapy administrators and educators of DPT students in re-structuring blended learning programs and accelerated curricula to reduce student perceptions of cognitive overload.

The quizzing effect depends on hope of success and can be optimized by cognitive load-based adaptation

It is well established that quizzing fosters learning. However, some gaps in the literature relating to the fit of quizzing to learner characteristics and learner perceptions during quizzing still need to be addressed. The present study focuses on two of these aspects: achievement motives and perceptions of cognitive load. First, quizzing entails that learners' performance is judged against some standard of excellence. This might make it appealing and effective for learners with high hope of success and low fear of failure in particular. Second, it is an open question whether providing quiz questions that are adapted to learners’ perceived level of cognitive load during quizzing would be beneficial. To address these questions, we randomly assigned learners to either non-adaptive quizzing, adaptive quizzing, or note-taking. We found that quizzing benefits concerning learning outcomes were moderated by hope of success. Furthermore, the adaptation via cognitive load ratings substantially increased the quizzing effect.

The effects of time-compressed instruction and redundancy on learning and learners’ perceptions of cognitive load

Can increasing the speed of audio narration in multimedia instruction decrease training time and still maintain learning? The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of time-compressed instruction and redundancy on learning and learners' perceptions of cognitive load. 154 university students were placed into conditions that consisted of time-compression (0%, 25%, or 50%) and redundancy (redundant text and narration or narration only). Participants were presented with multimedia instruction on the human heart and its parts then given factual and problem solving knowledge tests, a cognitive load measure, and a review behavior (back and replay buttons) measure. Results of the study indicated that participants who were presented 0% and 25% compression obtained similar scores on both the factual and problem solving measures. Additionally, they indicated similar levels of cognitive load. Participants who were presented redundant instruction were not able to perform as well as participants presented non-redundant instruction.

The effects of diagrams and time-compressed instruction on learning and learners’ perceptions of cognitive load

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of diagrams and time-compressed instruction on learning and learners’ perceptions of cognitive load. The following design factors, visuals (visuals and non-visuals) and time-compressed instruction (0%-normal paced, 25, and 50%) were presented to 216 university students to analyze learning in a multimedia environment. Participants listened to audio instruction of the heart and those in the visuals condition viewed 19 diagrams that corresponded to the verbal instruction. The dependent variables consisted of four achievement tests: drawing, identification, terminology, and comprehension. Review behaviors (back and replay buttons) and learners’ perceptions of cognitive load served as additional dependent variables. The results of this study indicate that listening to normal or moderately compressed (25%) instruction in a multimedia environment supports learning. At these speeds, cognitive load is not increased thus allowing learners to gain a conceptual understanding of the material.

Effects of Online Reading on Popular Science Comprehension

The present study examines the effects of print and online presentations of a multiple document report on reader’s comprehension, perception of cognitive load, satisfaction, and attention. We hypothesized that users of online media would show poorer results compared with print users. An experimental protocol was used to assess readers’performance using print and online versions of a popular science magazine report. Hypertext led to higher perceived cognitive load and poorer comprehension of the complementary documents. The results suggest that presenting graphics in long hypertexts increases effort and reduces text legibility. The present data offer support for theories of disorientation and cognitive load in hypermedia learning.